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Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912 Passage through Baltimore

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00493.02 Author/Creator: Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912 Place Written: s.l. Type: Print Date: circa 1880-1890 Pagination: 1 etching : b&w Height: 34.7 cm, Width: 26.2 cm Order a Copy

Comments on Abraham Lincoln's stealthy trip through pro-South Baltimore on his way to Washington to be inaugurated. Lincoln's plans were changed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on 22 February 1861 to avoid trouble in Baltimore. He boarded a special train on 23 February 1861 and travelled through Baltimore behind the curtains of a berth in a sleeping car. Volck depicts Lincoln being frightened by a hissing cat as he attempts to peek out of a freight car. The letters "P.W. & B.R.R. Co" (Philadelphia Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad) are on the freight car as well as the words "fright Bones." Size in extent is for the mount. The actual size of the etching is 26.2 x 20.2 cm. The title was found in a note in pencil at the bottom of the etching.

Volck, Adalbert John, 1828-1912

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